The Public Administration major is designed for students interested in the management of public organizations or nonprofit institutions. Majors explore government and political theory, budgeting and financial management, statistics, organizational dynamics, and theories of management. Students completing the Public Administration major also understand the information systems/networks that are becoming increasingly a part of public delivery management. Qualified students are encouraged to combine their undergraduate program with the Master of Public Administration via our accelerated B.S./MPA program.
Requirements
Students must complete 32 units of credit (128 semester hours) to earn a B.S. degree. The requirements for the B.S. degree fall into four categories:
- Major area courses; varies according to major
- Courses meeting general distribution requirements—17 units
- Elective courses—6 units
- A “perspectives” capstone course—1 unit
The Major
Through study of a major, a student specializes and deepens academic and professional knowledge in a subject area. Students pursuing the bachelor of science degree must meet with an academic advisor for information about degree requirements.
Transfer students must take at least half the courses in their major area and all upper-level major requirements at Clark.
Distribution Requirements
All BS candidates are required to complete 17 course units to meet the liberal arts distribution requirement. This requirement is designed to build a strong foundation for students to acquire intellectual habits, skills and perspectives, and ethical values in a global society which will enrich their academic background and professionalism. Industry, government and nonprofit organizations continue to emphasize breadth of knowledge and capability in those they employ.
The 17 units must be distributed as follows:
- English/Verbal Expression — two units.
- Humanities — five units. These courses must be distributed among at least three disciplines. One unit must be met by professional ethics.
- Science/Mathematics — four units. At least one course in each of these disciplines is required.
- Social Sciences — six units. These courses must be distributed among at least three disciplines.
Student Learning Outcomes
Through the liberal arts distribution requirement, students will be able to:
- Analyze a variety of professional rhetorical situations and produce appropriate texts in response.
- Formulate appropriate and ethical communication choices in presentations based on audience and situation.
- Articulate the different sides of ethical issues and defend their own views in discussion and in writing.
- Analyze human experience by examining similarities and differences in a global or international context.
- Apply appropriate mathematical, statistical, or computational strategies to solve problems.
- Discuss the role of science in society and its ethical conduct.
- Recognize how social, political, historical, and economic institutions shape societal and individual behavior.
Upon satisfactory completion of the Public Administration program, graduates should be able to:
- Discuss the purpose and structure of the nonprofit sector.
- Describe the governance of nonprofits, including the types of boards and the relationship between boards and executive directors.
- Explain the foundations of ethics within the public and nonprofit sectors.
- Apply the theories and practices of budgeting and financial management in government and nonprofit organizations.
- Classify risk management situations, collect and analyze data, collaborate on alternative methods of resolution, and assess results.
- Utilize the research process to address a current problem in public administration.
Electives
Six electives are required for the B.S. degree. These electives may be selected from the entire spectrum of courses. One course must be taken in computer/information science. Students already computer literate may have this requirement waived by the associate dean.
Perspectives Course
In the senior or graduating year, degree candidates are required to take a “perspectives” course. As perspective courses vary from year to year, students should consult with their academic advisers. Current perspective course must be international in its focus.